Clarke cracker lifts Glantraeth to peak
GLANTRAETH hit top spot in Welsh Alliance League Division One with a hard-fought 1-0 home win against Penrhyndeudraeth last Saturday.
The home team began strongly, a great ball in by Kieren Jeffreys being headed wide by Mike Lundstram on four minutes.
Soon after Penrhyn keeper Robert Watson saved in quick succession from Craig Whelan and Lundstram.
In the 11th-minute the visitors came close to taking the lead as a free kick from Iwan Thomas looked destined for the top corner only for keeper Ben Heald to pull off a truly marvellous save.
Six minutes before the break there was high drama as Lundstram broke clear on goal and was only stopped by the Penrhyn keeper racing out of his area and handling the ball. Referee Robin Williams had little option but to dismiss Watson.
Glan began to up the pressure after the break, Guto Hughes sending in a shot that looked goalbound only for the ball to hit defender Adam Griffiths full in the face.
On 54 minutes the home side took the lead as Tom Clarke took possession 25 yards out, looked up then sent an unstoppable shot that went in off the underside of the bar. Three minutes later Clarke was only inches away from a secondvia a free kick.
Heald made an easy save from Tomos Smith on 64 minutes, a reminder to Glan that there was work still to do.
The final 20 minutes saw the Anglesey side wasteful of chances to wrap up the points with Shaun Lock lobbing over with the keeper stranded, then Craig Whelan finished weakly with another great opportunity.
A fine cross from Lundstram with six minutes remaining only needed a touch from James Burgess, then Lock headed against the bar just prior to the final whistle.
It was a sweet victory for Warren Gibbs’s side, who failed to beat Penrhyn in three attempts last season.
Glantraeth will aim to cling on to the summit when they travel to Pwllheli this Saturday (2.30pm).
Trearddur Bay United ran out convincing 8-0 winners over visitors Porthmadog in the Reserve Division West.
The prolific Barry Haigh notched a
Pic: ALED JONES hat-trick for the home side, with Jordan Jones adding a double.
Also on the mark for the dominant hosts were Tom Hadley, Luke Brown and Dan Williams.
It was not such a good day for Holyhead Hotspur, who were beaten 3-1 at home by Llanberis in the same division.
A late own goal was all the Harbourmen had to show for their efforts, John Tyson, Gavin Edwards and Dafydd Evans sealing an away win.